---
title: "Kumbhkaran: Ravan's Brother in the Ramcharitmanas"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/characters/kumbhkaran"
lang: "en"
---

# Kumbhkaran: Ravan's Brother in the Ramcharitmanas

Kumbhkaran is Ravan's younger brother and a powerful warrior in Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. Bal Kand, Doha 180 describes his immense strength and six-month sleep. He recognises the wrong of Mata Sita's abduction and rebukes Ravan in Lanka Kand, Doha 62. Yet he fights on Ravan's side, bringing his extraordinary physical might into battle against Shri Ram.

## Kumbhkaran's birth, strength and sleep

Great strength alone does not teach a person how to use it. In Bal Kand, the passages associated with Doha 176 identify Kumbhkaran as the rebirth of Arimardana, the younger brother of the king who becomes Ravan. The passages associated with Doha 177 describe the severe austerities of the three brothers. Seeing Kumbhkaran's gigantic form, Brahma fears the destruction his appetite could cause and directs Saraswati to confound his mind.

Bal Kand, Doha 180 describes Kumbhkaran sleeping for six months after drinking his fill. When he wakes, the three worlds tremble. Goswami Tulsidas presents his power as a source of terror. Such strength gives Ravan confidence, but it cannot make his conduct righteous.

## Why Kumbhkaran rebukes Ravan

Kumbhkaran sees the wrong in his brother's deed. In Lanka Kand, Doha 62, he is deeply grieved on hearing Ravan's words. He rebukes Ravan for carrying away Mata Sita, whom he recognises as the Mother of the universe. His warning is plain: Ravan cannot expect good to follow such an act.

Lanka Kand, Doha 63 then reveals another side of this formidable warrior. Thinking of Shri Ram's beauty and virtues, Kumbhkaran forgets himself for a moment. Meanwhile, Ravan arranges wine and buffaloes for him. Kumbhkaran's recognition of Shri Ram does not prevent his later participation in the battle. The episode asks us to carry the truth we recognise into the choices we make.

## Kumbhkaran's battle against Shri Ram

Kumbhkaran's strength becomes clear in Lanka Kand, Doha 65. He renders Angad, Sugriv and other leading monkey warriors unconscious, then carries Sugriv away beneath his arm. His name receives a literal explanation in Lanka Kand, Doha 27: *Kumbhkaran* refers to one whose ears are as large as jars. His enormous form accompanies extraordinary power in battle.

In the passages associated with Lanka Kand, Doha 69, Kumbhkaran uproots mountains and hurls them at the monkey warriors. Shri Ram shatters them with His arrows and strikes Kumbhkaran. Uttar Kand, Doha 67b later recalls his valour and destruction. His fate directs our attention beyond strength itself: we must examine the cause that our strength serves.

## Questions

### Was Kumbhkaran Ravan's brother?

Yes. Kumbhkaran is Ravan's younger brother in Goswami Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas. The passages associated with Bal Kand, Doha 176 identify him as Arimardana reborn, while the king becomes Ravan. Bal Kand, Doha 180 describes his exceptional strength, which Ravan later invokes with pride in Lanka Kand, Doha 27.

### Did Kumbhkaran really sleep for six months?

Yes. Bal Kand, Doha 180 describes Kumbhkaran remaining asleep for six months after drinking his fill. It also describes the terror caused by his awakening and the destruction his daily appetite could bring. His long sleep appears alongside his immense size, appetite and strength in Goswami Tulsidas's account.

### Did Kumbhkaran tell Ravan he was wrong?

Yes. In Lanka Kand, Doha 62, Kumbhkaran rebukes Ravan for abducting Mata Sita and recognises her as the Mother of the universe. In Doha 63, thoughts of Shri Ram's beauty and virtues briefly absorb him. Yet Doha 65 shows him fighting Ravan's opponents. His understanding does not become a change of action.